Different Types Of Biochar Research Articles

Bagasse based biochar for the adsorptive removal of chlorpyrifos from contaminated water

Chlorpyrifos (CPS) is an emerging contaminant due to the runoff of CPS from agricultural fields, which find its way to nearby water sources. CPS requires to be removed to ensure the availability of safe drinking water. In this paper we report the experimental investigations carried out for the removal of CPS from waste water streams using bagasse based biochar as an adsorbent. Three different types of biochar were prepared from bagasse through different treatment to the raw bagasse. After identifying the best of the three types of biochar through iodine and methylene blue uptake, experiments were carried out to assess the removal of CPS from the aqueous systems containing 10–50 ppm. The results indicate about 89 % removal from an initial concentration of 10 ppm CPS. The bagasse was also characterized for its morphological and physiochemical characteristics. The optimal conditions for maximum uptake with respect to contact time, pH, initial CPS concentration, initial adsorbate concentration and temperature were studied. The isotherm models were evaluated and the results from error function analysis indicated Freundlich isotherm to be the most suitable model. The maximum adsorption capacity qm of the biochar for CPS was 3.20 mg g−1. The kinetics data was best fitted with the pseudo second order model. CPS adsorption onto the biochar occurred in a spontaneous manner, was exothermic and involved physisorption.

Enhanced volatile fatty acid degradation and methane production efficiency by biochar addition in food waste-sludge co-digestion: A step towards increased organic loading efficiency in co-digestion

This work investigated the effect of biochar addition to mitigate VFA accumulation and enhance methane production in mesophilic food waste/sludge co-digestion. Different types of biochar derived from agricultural and forestry residues at two pyrolysis temperatures were tested. Results showed that wheat straw biochar 550 °C supported the highest specific methane yield of 381.9 LCH4/kg VSadded and VS removal efficiency of 41.62% among all treatments. Degradation of propionic acid and long-chain fatty acids such as valeric, caproic and isovaleric acids was observed. This also corresponded to an increase in methanogenic favorable substrates including acetic acid (>40%) and butyric acid (~20%) over the control. Consequently, a 24% increase in overall methane production was obtained as compared to control. This demonstrated that biochar addition had positive effects on VFA degradation and methane production which could be a useful strategy to increase the organic loading in co-digestions without the fear of process failure.

Management of poultry manure in Poland – Current state and future perspectives

This review aimed to analyse the current state of management practices for poultry manure in Poland and present future perspectives in terms of technologies allowing closing the loops for circular economy, and thus recovery of nutrients and energy. The scope of the review focused primarily on: (1) the analysis of poultry production and generation of poultry manure with special references to quantities, properties (e.g. fertilizing properties), seasonality, etc.; (2) the overview of current practices and methods for managing poultry manure including advantages and limitations; (3) the analysis of potential and realistic threats and risk related to managing poultry manure, and also (4) the analysis of promising technologies for converting poultry manure into added value products and energy. The review addressed the following technologies: composting of poultry manure to obtain fertilizers and soil improvers, anaerobic digestion of poultry manure for energy recovery, and also pyrolysis of poultry manure into different types of biochar that can be applied in agriculture, horticulture and industry. Poultry manure is rich in macro- and micronutrients but also can contain various contaminants such as antibiotics or pesticides, and thus posing a realistic threat to soil and living organisms when applied to soil directly or after biological treatment. The main challenge in poultry manure processing is to assure sufficient closing of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous loops and safe application to soil.

Shifts in short-chain fatty acid profile, Fe(III) reduction and bacterial community with biochar amendment in rice paddy soil.

Biochar, a valuable product from the pyrolysis of agricultural and forestry residues, has been widely applied as soil amendment. However, the effect of different types of biochar on soil microorganisms and associated biochemical processes in paddy soil remains ambiguous. In this study, we investigated the impact of biochars derived from different feedstocks (rice straw, orange peel and bamboo powder) on the dynamics of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), iron concentration and bacterial community in paddy soil within 90 days of anaerobic incubation. Results showed that biochar amendment overall inhibited the accumulation of SCFAs while accelerating the Fe(III) reduction process in paddy soil. In addition, 16S rRNA gene sequencing results demonstrated that the α-diversity of the bacterial community significantly decreased in response to biochar amendments at day 1 but was relatively unaffected at the end of incubation, and incubation time was the major driver for the succession of the bacterial community. Furthermore, significant correlations between parameters (e.g. SCFAs and iron concentration) and bacterial taxa (e.g. Clostridia, Syntrophus, Syntrophobacter and Desulfatiglans) were observed. Overall, our findings demonstrated amendment with different types of biochar altered SCFA profile, Fe(III) reduction and bacterial biodiversity in rice paddy soil.

Bioavailability and Speciation of Heavy Metals in Polluted Soil as Alleviated by Different Types of Biochars.

Biochar is an important material for remediation of contaminated soils, however, different biochars have variable effects on bioavailability of heavy metals. This experiment revealed that peanut shell biochar (PSB) has highest reduction of 78% concentration of Pb in plant roots. The maize straw biochar (MSB) has significantly decreased Zn and Cd concentration (mg/kg dry weight) in Chinese cabbage than other treatments of biochars. The plants of Chinese cabbage have exhibited an efficient transport capability for Zn and Cd. The biochars have reduced exchangeable form of Cd/Zn, enhanced residual heavy metals, and consequently diminished accumulation of heavy metals in plants. The straw block biochar (SBB), PSB and MSB have efficiently relieved the stresses of heavy metals in plants.

Evaluation of change in biochar properties derived from different feedstock and pyrolysis temperature for environmental and agricultural application

In recent years, the application of biochar has increased significantly for sustainable and efficient carbon sequestration, improving soil quality and enhancement of plant growth. The biochar is mostly made from agricultural residues and waste materials. The objective of this study was to assess the changes in physicochemical, surface morphology, and mineral composition of different biochars with varying pyrolysis temperature. Eighteen different types of biochars were prepared through pyrolysis of feedstock at four different temperatures (350 °C, 450 °C, 550 °C and 650 °C). The feedstock used for the preparation of biochar were organic waste materials such as pine saw dust, rice husk, food waste, poultry litter and paper sludge. Pyrolysis temperatures and feedstock types significantly influenced biochar properties. For instance, pH of poultry litter and paper sludge biochar has increased from 6.2 to 10.3, BET surface area of saw dust and rice husk increased from 3.39 to 443.79 m2 g−1 and 11.61 to 280.97 m2 g−1 while cation exchange capacity value decreased with the increase in temperature. Paper sludge and poultry litter had the highest ash content value (57.20 ± 0.02 and 44.10 ± 0.02) whereas saw dust, rice husk and food waste biochar have highest fixed carbon value (55.31 ± 0.15, 48.47 ± 0.31 and 58.85 ± 0.22) at 650 °C. Degree of aromaticity increased and polarity reduced significantly with pyrolysis temperature. Rice husk and saw dust biochar prepared at higher temperature were more stable among all and thus recalcitrant in nature. X-ray diffraction results revealed mineral like quartz in saw dust and poultry litter biochar, sylvite, potassium iodate, calcium sulfide in food waste biochar and calcium carbonate in paper sludge biochar. Scanning Electron Microscopy showed increase in number of pores as well as pore size specially for the saw dust, and rice husk biochar. This study suggested that biochar prepared at higher temperature (550 °C and 650 °C) are more suitable for carbon sequestration and agricultural purpose.

Effect of different types of biochar on soil chemical properties , microbial community, pathogenic fungi and faba bean productivity

This experiment was carried out in sandy loam soil of private from at Romana , North Sinai Governorate, Egypt during two successive winter seasons 2017 / 2018 and 2018 /2019, to study the effect of three types of biochar, (A) produced from corn stalk, straw rice , straw of faba bean and cotton stalk, (B) produced from trees stalk and (C) town refuse, with three levels from Urea fertilizer (0, 20, 30 Kg N/fed), plus control treatment which received the recommended dose of urea (46 %N), to examine the effects of biochar types combined with or without nitrogen fertilizer on faba bean productivity under saline soil conditions. Faba bean variety Giza 843 were sowed on 12 November 2017 and 2018The experiment was carried out in a split plot design with three replicates. The used to three biochar types were arranged randomly as sub plot, were different rates of mineral nitrogen fertilizer was distributed randomly as main plot. Results obtained that, the combination between biochar types with different levels of N fertilizer enhanced all tested parameters. Moreover, biochar type (C) with level 30 Kg N/fed recoded the highest values of all tested parameters. On the other hand, the same treatment was the most effective on the root rot and wilt incidences, where the survival plants was % 97.9 and 93.4 respectively and decreased the number of the pathogenic fungi.

Prediction of higher heating values of biochar from proximate and ultimate analysis

Higher heating value (HHV) is one of the most important properties for biochars as biofuel. In this manuscript, the HHV of ten different kinds of biochars were measured, and two empirical correlations based on proximate analysis and ultimate analysis were proposed for predicting HHV of biochars. The correlation was developed by stepwise multiple linear regression and multiple nonlinear regression methods. The correlation based on ultimate analysis was HHV = 32.9C + 162.7H − 16.2O − 954.4S + 1.408, and the average absolute error (AAE) and average bias error (ABE) of this correlation were 1.12% and 0.05% corresponding to the measured value of HHV, respectively. The correlation based on proximate analysis was HHV = −30.3FC2 + 65.2Ash2 + 55.4FC − 48.5Ash + 9.591. The correlation’s AAE and ABE were 2.59% and 0.08%, respectively. Both equations were validated by the reported data and the predicted HHV values were accurate in comparison with experimental values, which proved their universality in biochar HHV prediction. The aim of establishing the correlations was to accurately predict the HHV of different types of biochars by using proximate or ultimate analytical data, saving experimental costs, and providing a theoretical basis for modeling biochar combustion, pyrolysis processes and thermochemical conversion.

Potential of Novel Biochars Produced from Invasive Aquatic Species Outside Food Chain in Removing Ammonium Nitrogen: Comparison with Conventional Biochars and Clinoptilolite

Previous studies for removal of ammonium from wastewater were mainly conducted using biochars produced from agricultural residue. Feedstock type (agricultural residue, wood, animal waste, and aquatic waste), as well as pyrolysis temperature, can significantly influence biochar properties and hence its adsorption capacity. Such studies are useful in decision making for selecting biochar depending on feedstock availability and pyrolysis temperature. This study aims to explore the effects of different types of biochar (laboratory prepared novel water hyacinth and algae biochar, conventional cedar wood, rice straw, and pig manure biochar) on the adsorption kinetics for ammonium removal from wastewater. The adsorption kinetics of biochars were compared to that of commercially available clinoptilolite and interpreted with their respective physicochemical properties (SEM, FTIR, XRD). Batch tests were performed to evaluate the effects of biochars on adsorption of ammonium nitrogen at different concentrations (10 mg/L and 100 mg/L). The tests reveal that clinoptilolite has the highest adsorption capacity. Among biochars, pig manure (animal based) biochar has a higher adsorption capacity in comparison to conventional agricultural residues based biochars. The capacity of pig manure biochar under highly concentrated ammonium solution (100 mg/L) is merely 20% lower than that of clinoptilolite. Both water hyacinth and algae biochar produced at higher temperature (600 °C) show higher sorption rate and capacity (depending on the initial concentration of ammonium) for ammonium in comparison to that produced at a lower temperature (300 °C). This is likely due to an increase in porosity at higher temperatures of pyrolysis.

Redox-based electron exchange capacity of biowaste-derived biochar accelerates syntrophic phenol oxidation for methanogenesis via direct interspecies electron transfer

In this study, six different types of biochar (based on two feedstocks and three pyrolytic temperatures) were prepared as individual additives for both syntrophic phenol degradation and methanogenesis promotion. The results showed that for phenol degradation, the addition of biochar (15 g/L) shortened the methanogenic lag time from 15.0 days to 1.1–3.2 days and accelerated the maximum CH4 production rate from 4.0 mL/d to 10.4–13.9 mL/d. Microbial community analysis revealed that the electro-active Geobacter was enriched (from 3.8–7.7% to 11.1–23.1%), depending on the type of biochar that was added. This indicates a potential shift of syntrophic phenol metabolism from a thermodynamically unfavorable pathway with H2 as the interspecies electron transfer mediator to direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET). Integrated analysis of methanogenesis dynamics and the electrochemical properties of biochar showed that compared with electrical conductivity, the electron exchange capacity of biochar was more likely to dominate the DIET process, which was due to the presence of redox-active organic functional groups in biochar. The removal of biochar from the anaerobic system generally prolonged the lag time, revealing the importance of adsorption capacity of biochar to mitigate bio-toxicity of phenol to microbial activity.

Short-term impacts of biochar and manure application on soil labile carbon fractions, enzyme activity, and microbial community structure

Biochar is known to ameliorate soil fertility and increase crop yield; however, information regarding its effects on soil chemical and biological properties remains limited. The experiment was conducted to study the short-term impacts of different types of biochar on soil C fractions, enzyme activities, and microbial community structure at depositional and eroded landscape positions at different sampling times [before planting, after planting, and after harvesting of soybean (Glycine max L.)]. Three biochar materials, produced from C-optimized gasification of corn (maize, Zea mays L.) stover (CS), ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Lawson and C. Lawson) wood residue (PW), and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) (SG), and dairy manure (DM) and mixture of dairy manure and pinewood biochar (DMP), were applied at a rate of 10 Mg ha−1 to depositional and eroded landscape positions. Data showed that the application of DMP and sole application of DM treatments significantly increased the labile C fractions at the depositional and eroded landscapes. The addition of DM and DMP increased the activities of β-glucosidase and urease enzymes, and those are involved in C and nitrogen cycling at depositional and eroded landscape positions. There were no significant differences between different biochar materials. However, there was an increase in soil microbial community structure in the DM and DMP treatments at both the landscape positions. In conclusion, our study revealed that DMP and sole application of DM influenced the soil labile C pool, enzyme activities, and microbial community structure at both the landscape positions for different sampling times.

Evaluation of Biochar Nitrate Extraction Methods

Biochar amendment to soil is a method used to mitigate losses of nitrogen leaching through agricultural soils. Multiple methods for extraction of nitrogen have been used, and recent studies have indicated that traditional soil extraction methods underestimate biochar nitrate. This study evaluated the nitrate extraction efficiency of a KCl extraction method under different temperature (20 and 50 °C) and duration (24 and 96 h) conditions. Increasing the duration of extraction from 24 to 96 h did not have a significant impact on extraction efficiency. However, increasing temperature resulted in nitrate extraction efficiencies above 90%. Rinsing the biochar once with deionized (DI) water following filtration after extraction increased the extraction efficiency significantly, but any subsequent rinses were not significant. This study recommends extracting nitrate from biochar using 2 M KCl at 50 °C for a period of 24 h with one additional rinse to increase nitrate recovery above 90%. However, future studies should evaluate this procedure for different types of biochar produced from alternative biomasses and at varying temperatures.

Biochar engineered to enhance the potential performance of soil in the Mediterranean region of Turkey

Biochar (BC) is a carbon-rich pyrolyzed material widely used in agriculture for soil amendment in order to enhance crop production and improve soil quality, carbon sequestration (C-sequestration), and mitigation of atmospheric C. Various functions of BC make it valuable; however, the heterogenic properties of BC raise questions regarding its suitability in a particular environment. The present study explored the heterogenic properties of BC with the aim of aligning its uses for soil and the environment. Different types of BC were prepared from feedstocks (FS) of sludge (S), animal waste (AW), and plants originating in the Mediterranean region. Physical and chemical characterization of BC was performed to evaluate its suitability for use in the Mediterranean region with regard to plant nutrient availability. To achieve this, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and proximate, ultimate, and nutrient analyses were performed. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was also undertaken, and the C-stability of BC was observed using thermogravimetric analysis. Plant FS–derived BC exhibits a high moisture content, volatile matrix, and fixed and total carbon (TC) compared with sludge biochar (SBC) and AW-derived BC. A high calcium carbonate (CaCO3) content was observed in AW-derived BC. Furthermore, the porosity of BC revealed that soil microbes may be sustained inside the porous structure if used for soil amendment. The different FS-oriented BC studied here could potentially be used to amend soil. The AW-derived BC and plant FS–derived BC could be a good source of immediate nutrient release for plant growth in agriculture and C-sequestration, respectively.

The Impact of Woody Biochar on Microbial Processes in Conventionally and Organically Managed Arable soils

ABSTRACTAlthough environmental impacts of biochar are well characterized, impacts on soil quality, nutrient availability and crop productivity, still remain a challenge due to the diverse response of different soil types to different types of biochar, namely those obtained at low temperature. The impact of an alkaline woody biochar (two doses 5% and 10%) obtained at 280°C, on soil enzyme activity, soil microbial respiration rate, mineral nitrogen (N) availability and ammonia volatilization was studied in one conventionally and one organically managed soils, with and without the addition of urea or composted farmyard manure. Biochar additions had different effects on soil enzyme activity in both soils, suggesting lower decomposing microbial activity processes promoted by biochar. Both soils showed a similar decreasing trend regarding soil respiration rates for all treatments, and significant relationships were observed between the treatments with different rates of applied biochar, but not constant for the entire incubation period. Urea application increased soil mineral N concentrations, especially nitrate concentrations when biochar was applied as well. Biochar decreased ammonia volatilization from conventionally managed soil fertilized with urea, but did not have a significant effect when compost was added to the organically managed soil. Biochar altered microbial behavior in soil, and was affected by previous soil management. So, the impact of biochar produced at low temperatures on soil biological processes is similar to those obtained at high temperature, thus proving that there is no need to increase the energy expenditure to produce biochar, to obtain a good product.

The Effects of Different Types of Biochar on Ammonia Emissions during Co-composting Poultry Manure with a Corn Leaf

The Effects of Different Types of Biochar on Ammonia Emissions during Co-composting Poultry Manure with a Corn Leaf

Nitrous oxide emissions from an Andosol upland field amended with four different types of biochars

The application of biochar can affect the nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from soil. Although laboratory studies reported that biochar applications can reduce N2O emissions, the number of field-based studies is still limited. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the effects of four different types of biochars and their interactions with a variety of environmental parameters on N2O emissions from an Andosol field over a 2-year period (2015–2016). The field experiment consisted of five treatments: chemical (mineral) fertilizer without biochar (CF), chemical fertilizer with rice husk biochar (RH), chemical fertilizer with chipped bamboo biochar (BA), chemical fertilizer with chipped hardwood biochar (HW), and chemical fertilizer with chipped wood briquette biochar made from a mixture of softwood and hardwood sawdust (SH). Biochar was applied at a rate of 25 t ha−1. The NH4+–N and NO3−–N adsorption capacity of biochars before application was also measured. NH4+–N adsorption capacity differed among the biochars, while biochars showed very little NO3−–N absorption capacity. The cumulative N2O emission of biochar treatment to that of the CF treatment during the N2O peak period (17 days) after biochar and fertilizer application increased with the increase of NH4+–N adsorption capacity of the biochar. However, biochar application did not affect the cumulative N2O emission over 2 years in the field condition. The lack of significant differences may have been due to Andosol CEC (31.3 cmol(+) kg−1), which was higher than that of the biochars (4.52–19.65 cmol(+) kg−1), and also high pH-buffering capacity of Andosol.

Effects of different types of biochar on soil microorganism and rhizome diseases occurrence of flue-cured tobacco

Effects of different types of biochar on soil microorganism and rhizome diseases occurrence of flue-cured tobacco

Effects of different types of biochar on the anaerobic digestion of chicken manure

This study investigated the impact of different types of biochar on the anaerobic digestion (AD) of chicken manure. Wheat straw, discarded fruitwood, and air-dried chicken manure were pyrolysed at 350, 450, and 550 °C to generate biochar. A lab-scale batch anaerobic digestion experiment was conducted at 35 ± 1 °C. Substantial improvements in methane production were observed for all nine types of biochar. With the production of 294 mL CH4/g VSadded, fruitwood char pyrolysed at 550 °C increased the methane yield by 69% from the control. Characteristic analysis indicated that fruitwood char pyrolysed at 550 °C exhibited the largest specific surface area and highest total ammonia nitrogen reduction capacity. The buffering capacity of the AD system was improved by the biochar through accelerating the transformation of macromolecular substances to dissolved substrates and reducing the contents of soluble salts, total ammonia nitrogen, and free ammonia.

Potential nitrogen fixation changes under different land uses as influenced by seasons and biochar amendments

Soil nutrient dynamics, potential biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) changes, and their relations were studied using four land use types. Further, we investigated BNF changes in the presence of biochar in soils. Soil samples were collected from arable, vineyard, grassland, and forest soils during four seasons, and analyzed for abiotic contents of total nitrogen, NH4+-N, NO3−-N, ammonium lactate (AL)-soluble K2O, P2O5, and soil organic carbon (SOC) concentrations. Potential N2 fixation was measured as ethylene (C2H4) production from acetylene (C2H2) reduction (ARA). The study focused on the changes in ARA when different types of biochars (T600, T650, and T700) were applied to soil samples in different amounts (0, 0.5, 2.5, and 5.0% wt wt−1) under laboratory conditions. We found strong correlations between soil chemical parameters and ARA values, especially in the case of soil pH, total N, SOC, and P2O5 contents. In the case of arable soil, the ARA measurements were up to 227 times higher compared to grassland and forest samples. Biochar application affected N2-fixing microbial responses among land use types, most notably decreases in arable lands and forest soils. We found that a high amount of biochar added to the soils can greatly suppress N2-fixing activities. Our results highlight the strong relationship between soil nutrient changes and the intensity of anthropogenic influence.

Greenhouse gas emissions from soil amended with agricultural residue biochars: Effects of feedstock type, production temperature and soil moisture

The conversion of agricultural residues into biochar produces a material with agronomic and environmental benefits. Biochars have been found to positively or negatively affect soil greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with the variability being explained by differences in biochar properties and environmental conditions. This study evaluated the effect of soil moisture conditions on the emissions of GHGs from soils amended with different types of biochar. For that, we added biochars to a sandy soil and incubated the samples at 23 °C for 90 days under two moisture conditions. While CH4 fluxes remained not significantly different from zero in all treatments, CO2 effluxes were stimulated at higher soil moisture contents, though the stimulating effect varied with biochar type. Soils amended with biochars with a narrow C:N ratio showed a higher CO2 efflux than soils amended with biochars with a wide C:N ratio. There were significant main effects of pyrolysis temperature and soil moisture conditions on the N2O fluxes from the treatments, however total N2O fluxes from biochar amended soils were overall not significantly different from the control due to treatment interactions. Our study indicates that the main effect of biochars on the GHG balances of soils is related to an increase in soil C stocks, with little short-term changes in soil CH4 and N2O fluxes. Nevertheless, short-term increases in GHG emissions due to biochar addition to soils can be easily mitigated by use of biochars with high C:N ratios produced under high temperatures and by avoiding application to moist soils.